Treating disease can be considered a combat between curative therapies and pathological afflictions. As such, the action of achieving a cure can be likened to successfully waging war on sickness and bodily disorders.

Surgical Philosophy applies the core principles derived from Sun Tzu’s timeless book Art of War to combating disease through surgery. Its goal is to offer principles, strategies and leadership guidelines for surgeons at all levels and other healthcare practitioners who carry out interventional procedures for the ultimate aim of defeating illness and enhancing the care of patients. In providing a novel and exciting perspective on this ancient text, the book will also be of interest to students of leadership, Eastern philosophy and Chinese history.

The book follows eleven sections of the Art of War. Each section reflects the messages in the Art of War, but with a modern surgical point of view. In the book, the role of the surgeon is equivalent to that of a leader or military commander, and the lessons offered in the Art of War are expanded to identify surgical principles and practice.